Field has familiar place as early public choice
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - This is the eighth year that Churchill Downs has offered parimutuel futures on the Kentucky Derby, and at least one thing has remained constant: The mutuel field is always the favorite in the first of three pools.
Once again, the field, or the "all others" alternative to the 23 separately listed wagering options, was a decisive favorite when Pool 1 of the 2006 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening. The field closed as the 3-1 choice and would return $8 for a $2 wager.
First Samurai closed as the 7-1 second choice, followed by the 2-year-old champion, Stevie Wonderboy, at 8-1. Next in line were Private Vow (14-1), Bluegrass Cat (15-1), and Brother Derek (16-1).
Even though the Jan. 26-29 dates were the earliest that Churchill has ever offered future wagers, total handle during the four-day run was $552,627, third highest in Futures history. The record was set last year in Pool 1 when $620,362 was bet.
Pool 1 field horses have won three of the seven Derbies since Churchill started the futures: Charismatic (1999), War Emblem (2002), and Smarty Jones (2004). The largest payoff in Futures history came from Pool 1 in 2003, when Funny Cide paid $188.
Meanwhile, in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, which was held concurrently with the Derby Futures, the field also closed as the favorite over the 23 separately listed entries. At 7-2, the field would return $9. The 6-1 second choice was the 2-year-old filly champion, Folklore, followed by Wild Fit (7-1), Balance (13-1), and French Park (15-1).
The Oaks handle was just $66,548, continuing a familiar trend. Since Churchill first offered Oaks Futures in 2003, each pool typically has drawn barely more than one-tenth of what the Derby Futures handled.
Pool 2 for both the Derby and Oaks futures is set for March 2-5, and Pool 3 for April 6-9. The Oaks and Derby will be run May 5 and 6, respectively.
Final Pool 1 Kentucky Derby odds
| No. | Horse | Odds | $2 will pay |
| 1 | A.P. Warrior | 31-1 | $64.40 |
| 2 | Achilles of Troy | 26-1 | 54.40 |
| 3 | Barbaro | 19-1 | 40.20 |
| 4 | Barbican | 18-1 | 38.80 |
| 5 | Blazing Rate | 101-1 | 204.60 |
| 6 | Bluegrass Cat | 15-1 | 33.40 |
| 7 | Bob and John | 31-1 | 65.40 |
| 8 | Brother Derek | 16-1 | 35.00 |
| 9 | Cause to Believe | 59-1 | 120.60 |
| 10 | Doctor Decherd | 68-1 | 139.20 |
| 11 | First Samurai | 7-1 | 17.80 |
| 12 | Flashy Bull | 45-1 | 92.80 |
| 13 | Half Ours | 33-1 | 68.20 |
| 14 | Henny Hughes | 27-1 | 57.40 |
| 15 | High Cotton | 62-1 | 127.20 |
| 16 | Itsallboutthechase | 48-1 | 98.40 |
| 17 | Keyed Entry | 53-1 | 109.60 |
| 18 | Lawyer Ron | 21-1 | 44.00 |
| 19 | Point Determined | 18-1 | 39.80 |
| 20 | Private Vow | 14-1 | 30.60 |
| 21 | Sorcerer's Stone | 45-1 | 93.00 |
| 22 | Stevie Wonderboy | 8-1 | 18.40 |
| 23 | Your Tent Or Mine | 21-1 | 45.80 |
| 24 | Field (all others) | 3-1 | 8.00 |
Handle: $552,627
Final Pool 1 Kentucky Oaks odds
| No. | Horse | Odds | $2 will pay |
| 1 | Adieu | 18-1 | $38.40 |
| 2 | Baghdaria | 45-1 | 92.20 |
| 3 | Balance | 13-1 | 29.80 |
| 4 | Better Now | 43-1 | 89.80 |
| 5 | Celestial Legend | 38-1 | 79.80 |
| 6 | Dance Daily | 42-1 | 87.40 |
| 7 | Daytime Promise | 46-1 | 95.60 |
| 8 | Diplomat Lady | 26-1 | 55.40 |
| 9 | Ex Caelis | 24-1 | 50.00 |
| 10 | Folklore | 6-1 | 15.60 |
| 11 | French Park | 15-1 | 32.60 |
| 12 | Itty Bitty Pretty | 25-1 | 53.40 |
| 13 | Original Spin | 19-1 | 41.00 |
| 14 | Sabatini | 19-1 | 40.80 |
| 15 | Seam Seeker | 53-1 | 108.20 |
| 16 | Sensation | 36-1 | 74.60 |
| 17 | Silvestris | 66-1 | 134.60 |
| 18 | Somethinaboutbetty | 28-1 | 58.40 |
| 19 | Sugar Swirl | 36-1 | 75.00 |
| 20 | Wait A While | 49-1 | 100.20 |
| 21 | Wild Fit | 7-1 | 16.00 |
| 22 | Wonder Lady Anne L | 18-1 | 39.80 |
| 23 | Yachats | 37-1 | 76.60 |
| 24 | Field (all others) | 7-2 | 9.00 |
Handle: $66,548